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Health Effects of Indoor Pollutants

This page last reviewed November 22, 2013

Indoor air pollution consists of toxic gases or particles that can harm your health. Indoor sources of toxic gases or particles can lead to indoor pollutant levels much higher than those found outdoors.

Because there are many indoor sources of pollutants, and because people spend most of their time indoors, indoor exposures can be high and pose a significant risk to health. People may react differently to air pollutants, depending on factors such as age, preexisting medical conditions, and individual sensitivity. Specific indoor pollutants, their sources and their potential health effects are shown in the linked table.